From Burnout to Brilliance: THe Rise of Roaring Sun
Roaring Sun is the Folk Rock & Cosmic Americana project of Austin-based songwriter Larry Llodra. With its debut album Turn and Wave, Roaring Sun channels a heartfelt collision of introspective folk and the sweeping gestures of classic rock, crafting songs that ache and soar in equal measure. It’s the sound of vulnerability wrapped in lush, cosmic twang—a journey through life’s wreckage and redemption. Imagine Blood on the Tracks filtered through Big Star’s intimate melancholy, with Gram Parsons offering his tender, haunted drawl.
The album was born from a year-long journey across continents, following Llodra’s burnout from corporate America and a health scare that left him searching for renewal and purpose. The result is a collection of songs that reflect the weight of sacrifice and the exhilaration of rebirth.
Recorded live over a whirlwind five days at Austin's Cedar Creek Studios with producer Bob Hoffnar, Turn and Wave captures raw human emotion and longing. Featuring drummers Danny Frankel (Fiona Apple) and Stephen Bidwell (Black Pumas), guitarist Billy Masters (Suzanne Vega), bassist Michael St.Clair (Polyphonic Spree), and Hoffnar on pedal steel, the album eschews perfection for authenticity, delivering quiet reflection alongside rock’s grandest gestures without the use of auto-tune or click tracks.
Before Roaring Sun, Llodra led Austin Indie Noise Rock outfit UVH. With this project, he channels his ambient and explosive roots into anthemic choruses, intimate storytelling, and a sound that resonates deeply.
Turn and Wave drops in April 23,2025, with the first single View So Blue scheduled for release on January 22, 2025 and live shows in Austin and a nationwide tour to follow. Roaring Sun is just getting started.
Contact Info
Website: Roaringsunmusic.com
Booking: Booking@roaringsunmusic.com
Press Inquiries: Larry@roaringsunmusic.com
Pre-Release Full Album Access: Roaring Sun | Turn and Wave
Hi-Res Editorial Photo & Logo Downloads: HERE
View So Blue: Debut Single
Roaring Sun’s debut single, "View So Blue," set to release on January 22, 2025, is a breezy, hook-filled reflection on the optimism of fresh starts and the subtle self-doubt that lingers in their wake. A music video, directed by Austin filmmaker Riley Engemoen (aka Netta Lou Creative), drops January 29, 2025.
"View So Blue" traces its roots to an airplane napkin, hastily filled with lyrics as Llodra embarked on his first flight as he began a year long trip through Europe and Asia —escaping corporate burnout after navigating a transformative health scare. The song, recorded at Austin’s Cedar Creek Studios, feels like a sonic exhale, with shimmering pedal steel by Bob Hoffnar and buoyant guitar work from Billy Masters that nods to Wildflowers-era Tom Petty. Llodra’s knack for crafting earworm melodies channels Alex Chilton’s breezy charm while balancing introspection with anthemic exuberance.
The accompanying video, directed by Engemoen—whose previous credits include work with Big Thief’s Buck Meek and Spoon—offers a visual counterpoint, blending live studio footage with Llodra wandering the Texas Hill Country in full bloom. The duality of grounded performances and expansive outdoor shots underscores the track’s themes of movement and renewal.
"View So Blue" is a vibrant and deeply personal debut that launches Roaring Sun with an untethered celebration of fresh starts; a reminder that good times can be savored without being overshadowed by the weight of impending grief.
